"I've never seen such arrogance. To dare test something you've refined yourself here—perhaps he thinks he's the number one in this universe now." After Joe Di left, Di Chun snorted coldly, his tone thick with disdain.
His son had been killed by Joe Di, and to this day, he had found no way to avenge him. The frustration in his heart was unimaginable.
Ancestor Redlin said in a deep voice, "Have all the Third Step experts in the clan participate. Whoever can refine the Oath Platform will be guaranteed to advance to Edict Saint, and will become the top candidate for the Que Saint's cultivation focus."
"Yes." Di Chun was overjoyed and turned without hesitation to send out the message.
Similar to Ancestor Redlin, almost every major clan whose interests had been encroached upon was preparing to send their strongest Third Step cultivators. Their goal was not just to secure a ranking, but more so to destroy or refine the Oath Platform—forcing Joe Di to use it as a joke for selecting entry quotas.
If Joe Di’s proposal turned out to be a joke, then the previous distribution plan would have to be followed.
......
"Daoist Joe, if top experts enter the Ascension Tower, could it..." Among the countless cultivators flooding into the tower, the most anxious was Zachary Yu. Ever since he had sided with Joe Di, the fate of the Cloud Clan and the Human Clan had become closely linked. If Joe Di failed, his Cloud Clan would surely suffer as well.
Joe Di smiled, "Don't worry. If someone can break my Ascension Tower, perhaps I’ll have to beg to become their disciple."
The Ascension Tower was refined by Joe Di after condensing his Dao Tree. It was far more than just a magic artifact—any cultivator who entered became reflected by the tower as an image of their own Dao. Inside, one could perceive Dao Paths related to their own, but it was impossible to ever surpass the tower itself.
Not just Third Step experts—even Fourth and Fifth Step cultivators entering the Ascension Tower, Joe Di was certain, could not surpass it. Unless their cultivation far exceeded his and their Dao Tree was stronger than his own.
His ability to construct a Dao Tree was also thanks to Ye Mo and Ning Cheng. Joe Di did not believe there were others like the three of them—open-hearted, with no selfish motives or secrets in sharing their Dao. Perhaps somewhere in the vast universe such people existed, but certainly not in this realm.
Though still doubtful, Zachary Yu said nothing further; to question more would be to doubt Joe Di’s strength.
Joe Di spoke, "Daoist Yu, please take me to the location of the Providence Gate now."
"The Providence Gate isn’t open yet, is it?" Zachary Yu asked in confusion.
Joe Di replied, "Of course I know it’s not open. But I’m worried someone might break the rules and force their way into the Providence Gate."
Meng Ruolou said, "The Providence Gate is guarded by a natural grand array—a river. When the gate opens, the river forms a bridge automatically; otherwise, no one can cross to the other side where the gate stands."
"Yes, normally when it opens, each clan’s experts stand guard at the river’s passage." The Que Saint of the Cloud Clan, Fang Changsang, echoed.
"So, I want to set up a grand array outside. In the future, any cultivator entering the Providence Gate must use a jade token—without it, even with a quota, they won’t get in." As Joe Di spoke, he produced a sample jade token.
He wasn’t sure how his strength would fare against the Sixth Step experts here, but he was certain that no one could surpass his array skills in this place.
Zachary Yu’s eyes lit up. If Joe Di’s array skills were truly this formidable, then no matter whether Joe Di remained here or not, the method of entering the Providence Gate would never change, nor could it be monopolized by any one powerful clan.
Saint Tyron hurriedly said, "Brother Di, I’ll help you."
Joe Di waved his hand and said to Saint Tyron and the other Saint Seat Holders from Saint Seat Plaza, "Go to the Human Quarter first. Daoist Tyron will explain the method for advancing to the Fifth Step. I’ve buried half an Extreme Vein at Human Quarter. With the Providence Gate opening, perhaps you’ll all be able to reach the Fifth Step soon."
Fang Changsang couldn’t help but shiver at these words. Over a dozen Fifth Step cultivators—how terrifying! Was the Human Clan about to conquer this universe?
Henry Yi recalled that Joe Di had said he wouldn’t stay here long. Since he wouldn’t, it was best for the Human Clan to become as strong as possible.
Even if he thought the same as Joe Di, he didn’t have the ability to leave this universe and enter Chaos so easily.
Though Saint Tyron didn’t know Joe Di was leaving, he didn’t mind sharing his insights on advancing to the Fifth Step. The heights he had reached were not something ordinary cultivators could attain—even Joe Di hadn’t controlled countless eras while maintaining a complete physical body.
To cherish something that brought no benefit to himself was not worth doing.
Besides, Joe Di had offered up half an Extreme Vein, which greatly benefited him in stabilizing his Fifth Step. So when Joe Di made the suggestion, he agreed without hesitation.
......
The Providence Gate was not far from Allclan Sanctuary; within ten thousand miles, all was shielded by a guardian array. The array was of poor quality—Joe Di tore it apart with a wave of his hand.
Once the array was breached, there was indeed a river—but it was only half a river.
Joe Di had seen oceans suspended in the void, but never a half river. This half river stretched at most a thousand miles, its ends abruptly severed as if cut by a blade, vanishing without a trace. The water flowed, showing both a source and a destination.
"Brother Di, the two ends of this river should extend into the domain of the Providence Gate, so it appears severed but actually exists. This half river is called the Providence River Barrier—it’s the natural grand array." Fang Changsang explained quickly when he saw Joe Di’s surprise.
This chapter is not yet finished~.~ Please click next page to continue reading the exciting story!
"The Providence Gate is across the river?" Joe Di asked in confusion.
"Yes. Right now, the Providence Gate hasn’t appeared, so you can’t see it. When it does, a tree-shaped outline of the gate will appear on the other side of the river. A Dao Resonance branch will stretch across, allowing cultivators to cross into the gate." Fang Changsang explained again.
A tree-shaped outline?
As Joe Di wondered, Fang Changsang continued, "Before the Providence Gate opens, no one can cross the Providence River Barrier. Anyone who tries will vanish into the river midway."
Joe Di opened his Eye of the Way, and in its depths, he faintly saw a hazy tree-shaped gate across the Providence River Barrier...
His Eye of the Way sensed Dao Resonance flowing within, and even a force that transcended the laws of this universe. Joe Di’s heart stirred—his first thought was of the Dao Tree.
The shape of the Providence Gate actually resembled the Dao Tree? Joe Di’s interest was piqued—even if Redlin Patriarch and James Wan didn’t invite him in, he would find a way to enter himself.
"Daoist Yuan, you mentioned needing my help before. Is it also related to the Providence Gate?" Joe Di turned to Quentin Yuan.
Quentin Yuan nodded solemnly, "Yes, it is indeed related to the Providence Gate and concerns a higher level of advancement. But now I realize this breakthrough is also tied to our Human Clan. James Wan and Eugene Nightgold have waited until now, only wanting you to enter the Providence Gate—likely for the same reason."
Zachary Yu added, "I’ve heard about this too. There’s definitely a scheme against you, Daoist Joe. I wasn’t involved, so I don’t know what they plan to do."
Joe Di smiled, "Let’s hope he dares to come."
With that, Joe Di began laying out formation flags to set up the grand array. From now on, every time the Providence Gate opened, cultivators would need his jade token to enter.
(That’s all for today’s update. Good night, friends!)